I cannot speak for any of these groups but I
know that zero waste, far from being a magic wand, is a practical
and sophisticated solution increasingly popular with governments and
businesses worldwide.

It does require hard work and the commitment
of everyone involved, but it works.

Indeed, if anyone seems to have a naive belief
in magic wands, it is the Minister.

Does he really think that burning waste will
make it go away?

Any secondary school chemistry student could
tell him that combustion simply converts material into other forms.
Mass incineration produces harmful gaseous emissions and residual
ash.

I call on the Minister to reconsider his obsession
with the magic wand approach of incineration, which only gives an
illusion of problem-solving, and give adequate consideration to alternative,
more up-to-date and sustainable approaches to waste management.

Let us not be bullied by his threats and scaremongering
in relation to economic development. Instead, let us demand cleaner
solutions. - Yours, etc.,